Then it was on to play for the good people of Whitley Bay (From Inverness to Whitley Bay - is that a Mark Knopfler lyric?), which reminds me; I am working on a new song to the tune of Charlie Pride's Crystal Chandeliers:

Next day, a few hours before soundcheck, I took the train to the Salts Mill, Saltaire. Beautiful environment, Lots of David Hockney gubbins. I think my favourite part was the constantly changing display of iPhone/ipad drawings that he had sent to pals.

Get Well Soon Card

iPad pictures - the arrival of Spring

'Tennis' was faxed to the gallery by David H in LA and pinned to the board one page at a time.

Monday, 14 November 2016

Last week I had an amazing couple of days rehearsing, then recording, new music with soloists from The Scottish Festival Orchestra in Hamilton Mausoleum, Lanarkshire. More about this project in good time. Hashtag excited.

Sad at the passing of both Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell. I always loved Willie Nelson singing "A Song For You".

"And when my life is over, remember when we were together,

We were alone and I was singing my song for you"...

I just read this. Hope I have time to visit Las Meninas next time I am in Madrid.

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

The wonderful Jackie Kay tweeted that her 86 year-old lifelong socialist mum said: 'don't let Trump spoil your birthday love he's not worth it'.On Sunday I went to the BAFTA Scotland Awards. It was a great night and not just because Stephen Bennett's wonderful "Dunblane: Our Story" (for which I provided the music) won an award:

Me trying to steal Stephen's BAFTA before jumping in a taxi and cackling off into the night.

...but also because when I met Dr. Who and told him about my pal Gavin and his son Rob who are both huge fans, the following occurred: